Huw Morgan's Trumpet Blog

Another update...finally

2008-06-17T22:35:00.002Z

Finally I get the chance to post again - its been a long time, but I hope I can bring you up to date!

In March I performed the Hummel Concerto with the Penzance Orchestral Society, and also on the two following days, as principal trumpet with the London Contemporary Orchestra in their inaugural concert, and as principal in Strauss' Alpine Symphony with the University of London Symphony Orchestra. In addition, I performed as principal in the Britten-Pears Orchestra under Harry Bickett in Snape, and in a hugely rewarding (but very tiring!) recording with the RAM Brass of Strauss' complete works for brass (the CD is available very soon, I'm informed!)

April saw three recitals with The Brass Collective (at Regent's Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields and the National Portrait Gallery), a concert of music by Jonathon Rathbone at St Alban's Abbey, a Mahler 2 performance with the LSO under Gergiev, and unbelievably, a concert with the Philharmonia at Buckingham Palace for HRH Prince Charles!

May was once again hectic, as most months! I appeared as solo trumpeter in the annual Ascension Day Service on Radio 4 from St-Martin-in-the-Fields, with the BBC Singers, played with the EC4 orchestra, recorded for the Jan Koetsier competition with my ensemble QuintEssence, and even got in a bit of piano accompanying! Concerts at the RAM included another quintet performance, and the Janacek Cappricio, as well as winning the internal competition to perform the solo part in the Shostakovich P/C with the RAM Soloists at the Wigmore Hall next year.

With the exam season at Academy over, I headed to the Cotswolds for a lovely few days performing with the City of London Chamber Orchestra at the Chipping Campden Festival, working with soloists including Paul Lewis, Emily Beynon and Julian Lloyd Webber. Next up was the Shostakovich P/C at the Sage Gateshead, with the Northern Sinfonia under Thomas Zehetmair and soloist Cordelia Williams, my former Chets colleague and BBC YM finalist. Immediately upon returning to Heathrow from Newcastle I headed to Bannf, Canada, for the ITG conference, hosted by Jens Lindemann. In addition to the outstanding array of solo and ensemble performances, classes and clinics, I was delighted to win 1st prize in the Orchestral Excerpts competition, where the adjudicators included Ryan Anthony and Maurice Murphy.

Most recently I have performed in the RAM Club Prize, in a masterclass with Eric Aubier (he is truly unbelievable!) and in a function alongside none other than Bruce Forsyth...the life of a trumpeter hey?!

Well, the summer is nearly upon me, and with that the chance for a mini world tour! - firstly I head to Tokyo for chamber ad solo performances (including the Telemann Concerto), then Corfu for the Melos Brass summer course, China with the RAM Brass Soloists, Banff for the Festival Orchestra and Brass residency with Mr. Lindemann, and finally Hong Kong, with the University of London Symphony Orchestra - not bad!

Further ahead, I have concerts lined up at Kings Place, for the Enescu Society, and a mini tour with the Irish Chamber Orchestra performing the Shostakovich. Hopefully I will find some time over the summer to put my feet up for a week or so, recharge the batteries, and hopefully update you on my travels!

March Update

2008-03-08T16:09:00.002Z

Well, another few hectic months and an opportunity to update you on what's been going on!

At the beginning of January, I won through the first round of the RAM Wigmore Competition, and thus performed in the final round (with adjudicators Gordon Back and Sir Charles Mackerras) at the Wigmore Hall in February...with accompanist John Reid, my programme consisted of Torelli - Sonata G1, Hugh Brunt - Searching Light (world premiere!), Francaix - Sonatine, Gubaidulina - Song Without Words, Mendez - Csardas...although I didn't win, it was a super opportunity to perform once again at such a beautiful venue, and performing Hugh's piece was a real pleasure.

Next up in January was a three concert tour of 'The Soldier's Tale' with Gareth Jones and Sinfonia Cymru - I'm a big fan of chamber music, so this was a great opportunity to perform (with narrator Donald Maxwell) a standard of the repertoire.

In addition there have been orchestral concerts with the RAM Media Ensemble, for the British Cello Society, and Handel's Messiah in Oxford. I also had a week in Aldeburgh with 10-piece ensemble 'The Brass Collective', which resulted in a very good (but hard on the chops) concert to finish our residency.

I've also been doing some media related work these past few months - firstly recording some demo stuff with Mike McEvoy for a film called 'Me and Orson Welles', plus a (slightly bizzare) performance on The Daily Politics Show on BBC2 TV, dressed in full evening wear at 1pm performing a brief fanfare and some of the closing theme tune! Fortunately for me, its now gone from the BBC iplayer!

I also won the Drummond Sharp Brass Prize at the Academy, performing Friedmann's Solus for adjudicator Richard Bissil, which was a pleasant surprise, and lead the Symphonic Brass ensemble in a concert of Strauss and Wagner last week. I also performed on Radio 3 with the Academy Wind/Brass Octet in Stravinsky's piece of the same name.

Also, I had the opportunity to do some teaching at Watford Grammar School, as part of my LRAM teaching diploma, and for some light relief, went to see Wales at the Millenium Stadium in the 6 Nations against Italy; fortunately for us, it was a win!

Over the next few weeks there are several things coming up - Park Lane Group auditions as soloist and with The Brass Collective, recording of Strauss and Wagner with the RAM Symphonic Brass Ensemble for Harmonia Mundi, concerts with the LSO, University of London SO, Britten-Pears Orchestra and London Contemporary Orchestra, the Hummel concerto with the Penzance Orchestral Society, and two TBC recitals in April. I'm also looking forward to a week off at Easter - time to put the trumpet in its case, get some good R&R and build up my energy reserves for the following term...until next time :) !

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T00:05:00.000Z

I write on the verge of 2008...I thought I should get one final post in before the New Year, seen as I've been neglecting my duties for a couple of months!

Since November I've had numerous performances as soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, including two lunchtime concerts at the RAM of Sibelius' little known Septets, and notably the world premiere performance of Leif Segerstam's Symphony No. 173 (yes, that is right!)'...Launching Thoughts into Nexties...', or whatever they are! It featured a solo trumpet line, with an accompaniment of sizeable orchestral forces, two pianos (one with the composer conducting!) and lasted approximately 25 - a bit of a marathon, but well worth it.

Most of the 1st week of November, however, was taken up as I performed with the LSO in three concerts - two at the Barbican and one at the Salle Pleyel, Paris! Although John Adams and Varese aren't two of the easiest composers to perform, it was a pleasure for me to be part of the wonderful, inspiring brass section, under conductor Krystian Jarvi, and the concerts were all very well received.

In addition to my regular weekly tuition from Prof. James Watson and Robert Farley (Nat), I also had the pleasure of performing Jolivet's Concertino for two visiting clinicians, Kristian Steenstrup (Royal Danish Academy), and James Wilt (Associate Principal - LA Philharmonic), when they were in town, not to mention some more fabulous lessons with Visiting Professor Howard Snell.

With my teaching in Oxford still going strong (a few of my pupils took exams this term), there was also the usual mix of choral society concerts, graduation ceremonies (for King's College, London and University of Central Lancashire), and weddings - not to mention a few Messiahs on both modern and period instruments, including one with the Elysian Baroque Orchestra in Kemble (where I returned home at 5am the next morning - I must remember to thank the train company for that...).

In early December, I also had the privilege of performing the Arutjunjan Trumpet Concerto with the Westmorland Orchestra in Kendal, with conductor Barry Sharkey. With a large and appreciative audience in attendance, it really was a lovely occassion, and I received some wonderful hospitality from a couple whose son (Peter Lawrence) is a first class trumpeter, composer and arranger based in Germany (I have ordered some of his stuff and its great...www.pledition.com)

Soon after I was in Manchester for rehearsals at my alma mater (Chetham's School of Music) with accompanist Nick Oliver, for an audition for the Manchester Midday Concert Society at the Bridgewater Hall (Fasch Concerto, Legende and Schelokov Scherzo). Christmas Eve a letter arrived stating that I'd won one of the lunchtime recitals that the society promotes, at the Brigewater Hall in the 2009/10 season...something really to look forward to!

Having returned from Manchester, it was back to the University of London Symphony Orchestra as principal trumpet in their termly concert, featuring Elgar: In the South and Walton: Symphony No. 1, under conductor John Forster. Again, a real treat, just a shame the accoustic in the church wasn't a little better (the first trombone and horns (in front!) were particularly strong, other than that...anyboday's guess!!)

A few days later it was back to the RAM and Duke's Hall for a special performance for HM The Queen, with the RAM Brass Soloists, performing a variety of suitably regal music for her visit, where she also presented the Queen's Medal for Music to composer Judith Weir. A bit of a hair-raising occassion (I guess these things always are) but fortunately it all went to plan.

Having returned home for my Christmas break, I attended the Brass Semi Finals of the BBC YM 2008 at the RWCMD, Cardiff. With 6 out of the 8 players from Chets, it was no surprise that the standard was so high, with some superb playing...the only unfortunate thing was that there was no trumpet at this stage of the competition, something which will have to change surely for next time! One performer deserves particular mention: trombonist Peter Moore. Suffice it to say that aged 11, and a BBC YM Brass Finalist this February, he has the world at his feet. If you ever have an opportunity to hear this kid - do. It is awesome to hear, and perhaps even more unbelievable to watch such a small, unassuming chap strutting his stuff. And the best thing? He goes to Chets :) !

Well, I hope 2008 holds many good things for all readers, and I also have some exciting things on the radar in the first few months of the year...chamber concerts with Sinfonia Cymru (Stravinsky's Solider's Tale), two solo contests at the RAM, the premiere of a new work by composer Hugh Brunt, auditions for the Stuttgart Festivalensemble, Britten-Pears Baroque and modern orchestras and Verbier Festival Orchestra, The Brass Collective 10-piece residency in Aldeburgh, competitions, recordings and concerts with QuintEssence, orchestral gigs with the London Contemporary Orchestra and ULSO (Alpine Symphony!), ROSL solo competition, and (fingers crossed!) the start of recording for my debut album! Unfortunately I have had to turn down the opportunity to play with EUYO this Easter, but I have several things to make up for it, including a prospective Strauss recording and concert with the RAM Symphonic Brass under James Watson...it promises to be one heck of a term! Did I mention academic work...no, though not!

October News

2007-10-22T18:18:00.001Z

Hello again, and after a month or so I thought it was finally time to give you another update on my progress.

Following a mini-recital in Cardiff in September, I headed back to London and performed with contemporary group Radius in the Purcell Room, in the orchestra (conducted by John Traill) for a new opera called the Corley Conspiracy (music by Tim Benjamin). Tim has actually just sent me the music for his extremely well conceived trumpet concerto, which I'm hoping to perform in the next year or so. I also performed in a wonderful chamber music concert in Salisbury with A Littlemore Brass, presenting a full evening recital with the 5tet in aid of the Prince's Trust, which was very well received (and raised lots of cash!)

Other activites include performing in various RAM brass ensembles for a concert to mark the 20th Anniversary of the death of the wonderful tuba player John Fletcher. I was privileged enough to play alongside LSO Principal trumpet Rod Franks in Strauss' Festmusik, and also accompany Fletcher's widow, Margaret Cable, in a 5tet piece with solo singer. Other highlights of the concert was a performance of Lucerne Song (arr. Elgar Howarth), a world premier 10tet piece by Ben Ellin and Gregson's Tuba Concerto. It was also a pleasure to see so many people of the brass world attending the concert, which went down a storm!

Further events in September include playing with the City Side Sinfonia, accompanying LSO horn player Angela Barnes in Strauss' Horn Concerto, as well as the debut of my re-formed brass group QuintEssence, performing at the Royal Festival Hall no less!

I also succesfully auditioned for the University of London Symphony Orchestra (as principal trumpet), and performed as an 'extra' with the LSO under Daniel Harding in the Barbican in Janacek's Sinfonietta. Thrown in with this was a return to a bit of piano playing, accompanying a friend in Haydn's Trumpet Concerto for an audition CD, and a baroque trumpet/Gabrielli concert with The Sixteen and Harry Christophers at Westminster Cathedral (actually we had fun with a conductor for each brass section on opposite sides of the church trying to get us playing together!)

This of course, is all on top of my regular lessons, classes, academics and teaching at Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford...plus I'm in the middle of trying to sort out an ERASMUS exchange course at the Paris Conservatoire for the next year....so many things, so little time.

I also conspired to lose my cherished Bach 37 trumpet on a train in the middle of Spetember, but thankfully I managed to sort myself out pretty quickly with a new Yamaha New York hooter, as somebody obviously decided that a trumpet and 3 mouthpieces in a nice leather case was excatly what they were after...an early Christmas.

Well, on to future activites, and I have quite a few gigs lined up in chamber, solo and orchestral settings, the highlight being the World Premiere of Leif Segerstam's Symphony 173 with the RAM Concert Orchestra on Friday 2nd November as trumpet soloist! I'm looking forward to it immensely, as you can imagine. It is, however, hard work! Another offer which I've recently received is to tour Japan in the summer, as soloist in Telemann's trumpet concerto, including a performance in Suntory Hall! I can't wait!

More to follow soon, after the next few hectic weeks have passed.....be sure to check www.huwmorgan.net for all the latest news, reviews and concerts.

Italian Brass Week

2007-09-05T11:12:00.001Z

Well, another eventful month has nearly passed by, and very soon I'll be starting my second year undergraduate course at the Royal Academy of Music. However, before all that I must tell you about a wonderful week I spent in Santa Fiora, deep in the Tuscan Hills, as part of Italian Brass Week. With tutors including Jens Lindemann, Tage Larsen (2nd trumpet in the Chicago Symphony - who deputised for principal Chris Martin), Davide Simoncini, Andrea Tofanelli, Dale Clevenger, Charles Vernon, Gene Porkony and Gomalan Brass, the whole event was a fantastic opportunity to play alongside, listen to and be coached by some of the most outstanding brass musicians in the world. With all the artists performing daily concerts (in solo and 5tet capacity), it was also a pleasure to hear some other students from around Europe performing. In particular, it was great that we were all able to 'sit in' on each others lessons, thereby allowing us to gain 'free' tuition on most of the great trumpet repertoire. Added to that the wonderful Tuscan scenery and superb food made it certainly a week to remember!

Well, back to the present, and next week another year starts at the RAM, where I'll be continuing my studies with James Watson, Robert Farley and Howard Snell. I've also got several concerts coming up in various capacities - as soloist on Sunday with piano in Cardiff and the Arutuinian concerto with orchestra in December, as part of a the pioneering Radius Ensemble in a new opera - 'The Corley Conspiracy' at the Purcell Room in mid September, and in the pit for a production of 'West Side Story.' Added to that the usual melee of auditions, internal concerts, assessments and masterclasses means that it should be a very profitable and busy term. I'm also looking forward to learning a lot of new repertoire in preparation for various competitions and exams which Im hoping to take in 2008.

If anything else exciting comes up, I'll post, but until then, I hope you all had a great summer break! Im now off to spend 2 hours queuing to prom for the Leipzig Gewandhaus orchestra concert at the RAH this evening...wish me luck!

Summer post

2007-08-16T19:15:00.000Z

Firstly, apologies for not posting sooner; I was horrified to see that my last update was as far back as June! I've been kept enormously busy since then, with a variety of chamber, solo and orchestral engagements. Casting my mind back, late June especially was a manic period, including concerto performances with the Hamburg Camerata (cond. Max Pommer), playing Torelli's Sonata in D G1 and the Tartini concerto in the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern festival in Germany. No sooner had I arrived back in the UK I was heading down to the Suffolk coast to perform with the Britten-Pears Baroque Orchestra - sporting my Keavy natural trumpet, I performed 3rd trumpet (the wonderful principale role, doubling timpani!) in Bach's Mass in B minor under Masaaki Suzuki, a wonderful Japanese maestro who regularly leads the acclaimed Bach Collegium Japan. The concert was a magnificent experience, and I can honestly say that this piece has now become one of my firm favourites, especially the two 'Ladamaus te' movements, one of which concludes the work....magnificent!

Soon after B-P followed my end of year recital, performing the Telemann concerto, Ravel's Kaddish and Cascades by Allen Vizzutti. Added to that the inaugural Brass Collective concert, engagements with QuintEssence and the RAM end of year festivities and graduation ceremony concert meant that I was ready for a holiday....what happened next, however, was anything but.....!

I was enormously priviledged to be the sole UK representative in the Pacfic Music Festival Academy in Saporro, Japan, and after a 12-hour flight it was pretty much right down to business. Working with our tutors from the Vienna Phil, Berlin Radio Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra (Gotthard Eder, Falk Maertens and David Bilger respectively), we performed over 20 concerts in just over a month, ranging from symphonic concerts (with meastri Riccardo Muti, Philippe Jordan and Andrey Boreyko) to chamber music recitals (with conductor Ian Bousfield) and new works by Herbert Willi. The brass also had the opportunity to work with the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra (under Tadaaki Otaka) and perform in the 10th anniversary concert of the beautiful 'Kitara' concert hall. Several of our concerts, however were on the Leonard Berstein 'Outdoor Stage' at the Sapporo Art Park, with crowds of over 3,000 people sitting on the grass watching numerous ensembles and the PMF orchestra. We were warmly welcomed by all the Japanese people, throughout the northern island of Hokkaido to our concerts on tour in Osaka, Tokyo and Nagoya. The food and hospitality were second to none, and the company fantastic...not only was it a great experience, but also a learning curve. It has to be said that the 'outreach' concerts we performed were some of the best experiences, with hoards of identically dressed children clamouring for autographs and photos....I can only imagine how the Beatles felt!!

Well, having been back now for 2 weeks, I'm about to leave for a brass course with Jens Lindemann & Chris Martin in Santa Fiora, Tuscany, Italy. It promises to be another exciting week, and I'll let you know about it soon after.

Meanwhile, my website will be updated in the forthcoming weeks, so if you fancy a browse, feel free to pop along www.huwmorgan.net

May Update

2007-05-16T11:22:00.000Z

Well, another busy month goes by, and another one looms on the horizon. I've just got a few days post academic exams with hardly any commitments so I'm taking a semi-rest while catching up on mountains of admin that I've seemingly neglected over the last few weeks.

My recital in Marlborough earlier this month seemed to go down very well, which is always good, and I'm now looking forward to another concert next week with accompanist Helen Davies in the Beaumaris Festival, Anglesey. One of the pieces Im performing in this concert is Solus, by the American Stan Friedmann. Any trumpeters who enjoy contemporary compositions take note - this one is superb! It is literally brass theatre, and also requires an enormous amount of imagination, varying sounds colours, different mutes, deconstructing your instrument and even going completely mad for a line! It also works marvellously with an audience (as long as they're not embarrased to laugh!)

Recently, I also had the opportunity of a lesson with Alison Balsom, which I found very refreshing and technically and musically rewarding. I performed both Solus and the 1st mvt of the Tartini for Alison, and we also discussed strategies for the 1st mvt of the Telemann, which Im hoping to crack soon. Talking of which, I have also discussed this with my new natural trumpet tutors, Robert Farley and John Hutchins, who have both been instrumental in setting me up on the 'nat' only a few weeks before my assessment.

Before I sign off, I'd just like to make you aware of the launch of a new and exciting 10-piece ensemble, "The Brass Collective" - of which I am a member. The inaugural concert will be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday 12th June in the Duke's Hall, Royal Academy of Music, so if you're free, please do come along and support us.

The programme is:

Enrique Crespo: Spirit of Brass
J.S. Bach arr. Snell: Prelude and Fugue
Gustav Mahler: 'Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen' from Ruckert-Lieder
Rimsky-Korsakov: Procession of the Nobles from Mlada
Chris Batchelor: Vozpelo et Pile
Derek Bourgeois: William and Mary

The players are:

Trumpets: Simon Cox, David Geoghegan, Huw Morgan & Chris Bunn
Trombones: Ed Jones, Blair Sinclair, Iain Maxwell & Daniel West
French Horn: Kira Doherty
Tuba: Daniel Trodden

As always, if you have any questions or queries, please get in contact via the forum, and keep an eye out on my website www.huwmorgan.net for the latest information.

Easter Greeting

2007-04-23T11:09:00.000Z

Firstly, I trust all B-F readers have enjoyed a relaxing Easter break...I certainly have! However, having started back at the RAM last week, I'm now getting into a hugely busy period, with my end of year recital coming up, as well as academic deadlines, Keyboard Skills and Aural exams and Natural Trumpet and Orchestral assessments.

In addition, I have rehearsals and concerts with QuintEssence, performances with the National Youth Symphonic Brass Wales, recitals in Marlborough and Beaumaris with pianist David Smith, a concerto performance with the Hamburger Camerata in Germany and even some piano accompaniment concerts! Hopefully I'll also be working with Howard Snell again in June (in his capacity as Visiting Professor at the RAM) and of course, I'm looking forward to attending the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra and Academy course in Sapporo in July, where I'll be working alongside principal players from the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as maestros Riccardo Muti, Philippe Jordan and Andrey Boreyko.

I've also recently performed with the Britten Pears Orchestra in the Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh under Alexander Polianichko and as one of the resident fanfare trumpeters at the International Artist Managers' Association conference in London. The variety and fun of being a brass musician is second to none!

Brief Update

2007-03-25T17:13:00.001Z

Just a quick post to update you on what I've been up to these last few weeks. The most exciting news has been that I've been accepted into both the EUYO and the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra in Japan for courses this summer, and I'm awaiting results from the Stuttgart Festival Ensemble. I'm also starting to rehearse regularly with my quintet QuintEssence for a June gig at Grange Park Opera, have performed Handel's Messiah in Rugby, played a fanfare for the Lord Mayor and Stelios (the Easyjet owner!) at London's Mansion House, the offstage part in Verdi's Requiem with the Ealing Symphony Orchestra, music for trumpet and organ at an honorary graduation ceremony at KCL and even depped in an LSO Brass Ensemble rehearsal!

We also performed a contemporary programme with the RAM Brass Soloists at the Academy and I've had the pleasure of being tutored by Howard Snell, former LSO principal trumpet, and Fergus McWilliam from the Berlin Phil. I've also just started natural trumpet lessons with Bob Farley, so a busy summer term beckons. Next week sees me play Mahler 10 at St. John Smith's Square, before heading off to Suffolk for a course with the Britten Pears Orchestra. Fun, fun, fun! Will post soon, next time in a more organised fashion!

Brief Update

2007-03-25T17:13:00.000Z

Another Update

2007-03-06T14:13:00.000Z

As promised, here is another brief update following a hectic week of rehearsals, recitals and concert-going!

On Thursday 1st March (always a sentimental day for a Welshman!) I gave a recital to a reasonably large and enthusiastic audience at St. George's Bristol, a wonderful chamber music venue with superb accoustics to match. Performing a programme of Fasch, Ravel, Enescu, Takemitsu, Bohme, Gallois Montbrun, Gershwin and Arban it was another great opportunity to show the audience what a trumpet is actually capable of - proving to them that it is not just a battering ram used to obliterate the orchestra at the end of the 1812 overture! On a more serious note, I'm always amazed by how well audiences respond to the more contemporary pieces. Takemtisu's Paths for example is six minutes of unaccompanied trumpet, but the work always seems to hold them gripped, even if (as happened in Bristol) my mute falls out at a key moment!

As a trumpeter, you are always eager to programme as much of the core repertoire in recitals as possible - Hindemith Sonate, Martinu Sonatine etc. but personally I find that an audience (unless wholly composed of brass players!) prefers several shorter pieces, but which still maintain a high level of musical integrity. It is also important to provide moments of light and shade in the recital, meaning that after the tension of a ruthless contemporary work something like Gershwin goes down a treat!

Well, enough philosophical discussion and back to the present, where future engements this week include a performance for graduation day at King's College London and 1st trumpet in The Messiah. At the RAM we have also been privileged to work today with Fergus McWilliam, 2nd horn in the Berlin Phil, and yesterday I performed for Amy Gilreath, professor of trumpet at Illinios Sate University, who paid the trumpet class a visit.

On Sunday I had the luxury of hearing one of Britain's top trumpeters, Alison Balsom, in a recital with Organ at the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. As someone who is looking to emulate what Alison has acheived in her career, it was lovely to hear her played a varied programme, from Vivaldi and unaccompanied Bach to Hakim, Lindberg and Damase. One of Alison's great strengths is her ability to use a wide range of tonal colours in her playing, whilst always remaining in control. It is something that as brass players we should all inspire to - after all, as Maurice Andre said, we have a much greater dynamic range than a violin - whereas both instruments can play a ppp, only the trumpet can really play a good fff! I'll leave you with that thought....until next time....

More News.....

2007-02-20T23:10:00.000Z

Firstly, my apologies for not posting sooner...it was my own fault - I messed up the blogger system! Happy days...anyway, lots has happened which I need to bring you up-to-date on. Firstly, I competed in the ROSL competition in February, where I got through to the semi-final round. i was, however, thrilled with my playing (it was one of those gigs where you get such a high you forget about the odd split note) - Caesium Bomb (a brilliant contemporary piece by Matthew Roddie), Densenclos Threne and Hummel 3rd mvt so I wasn't too disappointed. In the end, the Wind section final was won by a superb recorder player, who was terrific. I've also played Eb trumpet for the RAM Symphonic Brass in a great arrangement (but hugely tiring, especially without a bumper!) of Janacek's Sinfonietta, and with the RAM Brass Soloists in a gig in Wells as part of the school's brass festival there...a great night out!

I'm currently in the middle of a long wait from various different orchestras which I have been auditioning for this term. Also to look forward to during the summer I'll be heading to Corfu for a brass course with teachers including Fritz Damrow and Hans Gansch, and hopefully also to the Banff Centre to study with Jens Lindemann for 10 days or so....a wonderful opportunity. I'm also playing Enter Ghost by Judith Bingham tommorow in an internal RAM competition, before concentrating my efforts on my March 1st Recital at St. George's, Bristol, with pianist David Smith. A steady stream of engagements have also been rolling in, including the Tartini with the Hamburg Camerata in June at the Meckenburg festival in Germany and a performance of the Hummel with Garry Walker and the Northern Junior Sinfonia in July....keeping me busy as always!

Well, best go now and do some last minute preparation for the competition tommorow. I'll post again soon, with more news (I'm terrible, when I come to write these blogs I think 'what have I been doing the last fortnight?'). In the meantime, if anybody's free on St. David's Day.........lol

Happy New Year!

2007-01-14T20:09:00.000Z

Once again, a happy new year to all B-F readers! I hope you all had a relaxing break, and are now firmly back in the swing of things - as they say, time waits for no man!

Personally I had quite a quiet Christmas, but no sonner was the New Year underway that I was soon off to perform a concertino for Trumpet and Wind Band written by Terence Johns, former principal horn in the LSO. This piece, subtitled "To an Irishman" was written originally for Mark O'Keefe and the Dunbartonshire Concert Band in Scotland, and I was lucky enough to give only the second ever performance. The concert itself was held in Cardiff City Hall, compered by former Labour politician Lord Neil Kinnock, and billed as the 10th Anniversary Concert of the Four Counties Youth Ensembles. As a member of the orchestra and wind band in my formatitive years, it was lovely to go back, play a solo, as well helping out in the orchestra. It was also good to catch up with so many old friends who I haven't seen since I left for Chets five years ago!

With only a week gone of the current RAM term, already the concerts are starting to mount up. Im playing Eb trumpet wth the Academy Symphonic Brass Ensemble, 1st Trumpet in the RAM Brass Soloists 10tet and am participating in the ROSL competition and an internal contemporary music contest at the Academy, hopefully performing Judith Bingham's Enter Ghost. Further events this term include a recital on 1st March in St. George's, Bristol, a charity concert for the EMI Music Sound Foundation in London and auditions for several orchestras, including EUYO, Britten-Pears, Pacific Festival, Verbier Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Orchestral Academy and the Stuttgart Festival Ensemble....it just doesn't stop - but it's great fun!

Well, that's about it I think...I'll post again in a couple of week's time when things become a little easier...hopefully!

Porcia Competition

2006-12-08T14:31:00.000Z

Having just returned from the Porcia International Trumpet Competition in Italy, I thought now was a good time to give you another update on this trip. Although I didn't advance through the rounds it was a superb opportunity to hear the best trumpeters in the world.....not only those performing but also the likes of Eric Aubier, William Forman and Gabrielle Cassone on the jury. Despite the fact that I played well (especially considering my one month preparation!) one is really competing against players who can achieve near-perfection. Some were faultless, technically and musically, it is as simple as that, and a wonderful goal to aspire to. A special mention must go to 14-year old Ruben Simeo Gijon, yes fourteen years old! Already a prizewinner in the Philip Jones and Maurice André international trumpet competitions he is perhaps one of the most naturally gifted young trumpet players I have ever seen, bar none. Physically and musically he is at the top of his game, and added to a completely fearless and nervousless attitude it makes him a truly special player....outstanding!

After hearing these guys, it is a real inspiration to practice more and more, and improve even further. Most of the finalists (except Ruben) are 25 and upwards, so at nineteen I can be satisfied that I'm progressing in the right direction! Further competitions next year for me include the Royal Overseas League, Lieska Brass Competition and a trumpet competition in Dusseldorf, maybe even one in Beijing as well, who knows!

Well, I wish all B-F members and visitors a very happy Christmas break and a peaceful New Year. Many thanks for reading my blog over the past year...long may it continue!

From Oxford to the Academy via Wigmpre Hall

2006-11-17T16:55:00.000Z

What a rollercoaster couple of months! Its fair to say that I'd never expected life to pan out as it has, but after a month at Lincoln College, Oxford, I decided to call it a day and transfer to London to the RAM. Oxford was good fun, sure, but a lack of time to practice and a slightly bizzare environment in which to achieve my ambition of becoming a pro player were my main reasons for leaving. Now at the Academy, studying with James Watson, it has given me innumerable performing opportunities inside and outside music college and a chance to play with some of the best young trumpeters around. We have a hugely challenging concert approaching, playing West Side Story, On the Town and Pictures at an Exhibition for symphonic brass, and I'm on the picc! Luckily I have a bumper!!!

Wigmore Hall was also a fantastic opportunity, playing to a sizeable audience and a programme which went down a treat. After the upheaval of leaving Oxford, it was nice to get back on solid ground, the performance arena! I would just like to thank all those who attended, particularly some who travelled from Manchester, Huddersfield and further afield.

Well, I look forward to updating more frequently in the future, and to performing in a variety of different musical situations over the forthcoming months. I have some exciting projects in the pipeline, not all of which I can reveal, but they include the Porcia International Competition in Italy, an EUYO audition, GMJO audition and concerts in Manchester and Basingstoke with a variety of ensembles.

Nearly at Oxford!!!!

2006-09-28T16:01:00.000Z

With only a few days to go until I start my undergraduate course at Lincoln College, Oxford, now seems a good time to look back over the events of the last fortnight, and to remind everyone about my new website, www.huwmorgan.net !!

Anyway, after a lesson in London with James Watson, I rehearsed with an NYO Brass Quintet under the direction of Patrick Harrild, in preparation for a fundraising NYO Quiz night, held at the Floral Hall, Covent Garden. The night was an undoubted success, with questions set by Michael Berkley and presented by John Snow (he of Channel 4 News fame!) which I gather raised a not inconsiderable amount for the NYOs coffers....I look forward to playing in another NYO gig, this time for more 'corporate' people at London's Goldsmith Hall in October.

Following swiftly on the heels of the quintet appearance, I travelled to Manchester to perform a recital at my alma mater (I think that's how you spell it!) Chetham's School of Music. It was wonderful to be back, and see such a packed audience in the Baronial Hall, as well as numerous friendly faces. Many thanks to everyone who attended - it was a very profitable and worthwhile run-out of my Wigmore Hall programme, which I will perform on Thursday 2nd November at 1pm.....quick plug......!

Next on the agenda was Professor James Watson's inaugural lecture/recital at the RAM....and what an occassion! It was good to hear Mr. Watson talk about his experiences throughout the proffession, and particularly the infulences of his earliest teachers, who emphasied lyrical and song-like playing. We were also treated to some first class solo playing, including the London Premier of Judith Bingham's Enter Ghost, and fine ensemble performances from the RAM Brass Band and RAM Brass Soloists.

The 'after-show' get together was also quite entertaining, and it was especially nice for me to meet Ursula Jones, who through several trusts and foundations has supported my attendance to the National Youth Orchestra courses. I also met the composer Joseph Horowitz (we had just performed his 'Music Hall Suite' in Covent Garden a few days previously), which was a particular honour. He made it know that many people play the opening movement of this quintet much too fast, so pay attention to the metronome mark next time!!!! haha!

Well, I must get packing, there is still so much to do before Monday morning, I feel as if I've only just started! I will endeavour to post again after the roller-coaster that is....Freshers' week....bring it on!!!!!!

Jens Lindemann lesson

2006-09-04T10:43:00.000Z

Having just returned from Manchester from the Great Northern Brass Festival, I can honestly say what a privilege it was to attend the events on Saturday, and in particular my lesson with the great Canadian virtuoso, Jens Lindemann. Jens is not only a phenomenal player, with a limitless technique and great musicianship, but also a complete inspiration - he really is the 'trumpet master.' Having played a programme of Fasch (Concerto), Legende by George Enescu and Kaddisch (Ravel) I was then treated to over two hours of teaching which helped greatly on all sorts of levels - technical, musical etc. Some of his tips were so simple yet effective - keep in touch with you lower body, don't make a sound when you breathe (imagine there's an egg in your mouth)....the list is endless. To cap it all, after interviewing Jens for the Brass Herald magazine, I was then treated to a variety of Dim Sum by Jens and his wife in the Yang Sing restaurant (for those of you unfamiliar with Manchester, this is the best Chinese in town!)

So all in all, a fantastic day. The concert on Saturday was equally brilliant, with Jens soloing with both the Fodens band and Black Dyke. Particular highlights were his rendition of Malaguena (played in tribute to the great Maynard Ferguson) and an arrangement of the Gershwin song Someone To Watch Over Me. But Jens wasn't the only soloist on the night, and I particularly enjoyed a stunning performance on tuba from Les Neish of the Carnival de Venise with the Fodens band.

Jens has also invited me to take part in two summer schools next year - firstly the Rafael Mendez Summit Brass Institute (in Denver, Colorado - with Jens, Allen Vizzutti, Dave Hickman, Allan Dean et all) and secondly a programme at the Banff Centre for Arts in Canada...if everything falls into place, the summer of 2007 promises to be an exciting one!

I'll post again later in Spetember, after my concerts in the ROH and Manchester. Meanwhile, you may also like to know that I now have my own website - www.huwmorgan.net My thanks must go to Adrian Horn (the B-F founder, no less) who constructed the site in double quick time, with great professionalism. I can now be contacted on email via the site - huw@huwmorgan.net
Let me know what you think!

Post NYO

2006-08-16T13:38:00.000Z

Having returned from NYO just over a week ago, I think I'll look back on my last course with some great memories, especially the PROM with Sir Colin Davis, who was magnificent, and the inspirational coaching we received from out tutor Rod Franks, Principal Trumpet in the LSO. Everything came together for our final concert in the Royal Albert Hall, as most of the reviews in the papers the following week testified! It was great to go out with a bang!

With A-level results due out tommorow, I'm anxiously waiting for (hopefully) confirmation of my place to read music at Lincoln College, Oxford, and also preparing for my first ever 'wedding gig' on Saturday, playing the traditional duo of Jeremiah Clarke and John Stanley!

I've also had invitations to appear next year (May 23rd 2007) at the Beaumaris Festival, and with the Northern Sinfonia in May 2008, performing the Shostakovich Concerto for Piano and Trumpet with fellow BBC finalist Cordelia Williams in The Sage, Gateshead. As well as a quintet concert with fellow NYO members at the Royal Opera House for a NYO charity event on 17th September, I'm also looking forward to returning to my old haunt, Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, for a recital on 20th Spetember, and gathering repertoire for the Porcia Competition in December.

Well, I'm going to find something to do now to take my mind off the impending results...arrghhh!

Summer posting

2006-07-18T12:47:00.000Z

Another month has literally flown by since my last post, and as I sit writing this blog I think it's fair to say that the summer weather is well and truly upon us...it is absolutely gorgeous!

Unfortunately, I haven't yet had a real opportunity to take advantage of the weather, primarily because of numerous courses/concerts/end of year activities which have taken up so much time. After a wide variety of leavers' events at Chets, including a fantastic ball and trip to Alton Towers (!), we performed in the summer concert series in Kendal and the Bridgewater Hall, performing a programme of Janacek: Fanfare from the Sinfonietta, Sibelius: Violin Concerto, Holst: Hymn of Jesus and Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, under the baton of our Director of Music, Stephen Threlfall.

I've also been invited to perform recitals in St. George's Bristol, the Beaumaris Music Festival next year, and at the Hertforshire Music Club, which has given me plently to think about repertoire wise. Alongside my Wigmore Hall programme Im also preparing Honneger's Intrada, the Jolivet Concertino, Telemann Concerto and Montbrun: Sarabande and Finale for the Porcia International Competition in December, held in Italy, with a all star jury headed by Gabriel Cassone. I'm also delving into the Freidmann: Solus, a wonderfully experimental piece for solo trumpet....it really is great fun!

Tomorrow I'm off to NYO for our summer course, where the trumpet tutor will be none other than LSO Principal Rod Franks. We're playing under another LSO regular, Sir Colin Davis, in a programme of Janacek: Taras Bulba, Sibelius: Pahjola's Daughter and Symphony No. 7 and Stravinsky: Symphony in C.....so a busy few weeks all in all, not to mention the NYO Composers' pieces, which as always I'm sure will present many musical challenges and unmanageable mute changes!

Must dash now to pack, but I'll post again after NYO - catch us on BBC 2 on Saturday 5th August live at the BBC PROMS.......

Another news bulletin

2006-06-05T07:38:00.000Z

Well, since I last posted, there has been the proverbial rollercoaster ride after BBC! Thankfully now I'm settling down, replying to all my cards and emails, and also fitting in some revision for my A-levels which are now looming ominously on the horizon!

Since BBC, I have taken my LRSM diploma (see previous posts) and also performed in masterclasses with Rex Richardson and Hakan Hardenberger (on the same day!), playing the Arban Variations on Norma for Rex and the Martinu Sonatine for Hakan. Although both are completely different in their approach, I gleamed a lot of valuable information from the two classes, and as usual picked up on a variety of technical and musical points.

My Wigmore Hall début this autumn has now been confirmed on Thursday November 2nd, time tbc, but it is a lunchtime concert so I'm assuming around 1pm-ish. If any Brass-Forum members would like to attend, or want any further information about programme details etc., please feel free to contact me via the blog thread in the forums sections. It would be fantastic to see some people there; (I'm sorry, this is unabashed publicity!) I think as performers we do have a duty to participate in 'getting bums on seats.' I'm hoping to get as near to a capacity audience as possible, so I'm in for a lot of work these forthcoming months...

Finally, I would just like to wish Brass-Forum contributor Les Neish all the very best for his performance in the final of the Royal Overseas league competition tommorow. It is an astonishing acheivement for a brass player, let alone a tuba player, to have got thus far, and Les is obviously a huge credit to the the brass-playing world.

I'll post again in the next few weeks - with only 5 weeks left of school there are several leavers' events etc. to organise, but hopefully it'll all be good fun (if we manage to stay sober!)

BBC YMOY 2006

2006-05-22T12:50:00.000Z

Firstly, I'm sorry for breaking a promise....despite my best efforts to try and update the blog on Sunday morning, I actually ended up spending most of the time travelling back to Manchester from Newcastle, and catching up on some much needed rest!

Well, as many of you may know, the BBC YMOY was clarinetist Mark Simpson, from Liverpool. Although I played very well, and enjoyed myself immensely, it just wasn't to be, and Mark (who I know through the NYO) deserves many congratulations for a terrific performance.

My time at the Sage, Gateshead, was equally fantastic and the rehearsals with the Northern Sinfonia and Yan Pascal Tortelier were a great experience. The whole few days made me realise that this is most certainly what I want to do in life, and my brief time on the platform was a truly uplifting and exhilarating time. Interestingly, speaking with the trumpet judge Sergei Nakariakov, he told me that he has never played the Tomasi in public, for obvious reasons, even though he recorded it aged fifteen! So having broken that barrier before leaving school, I can certainly be pleased with myself.

My most heartfelt thanks go to my parents, my accompanist, all my teachers for their help in the BBC preparation, my girlfriend Lydia (who is also a trumpeter in the NYO) and all those who have listened to me performing the Tomasi over the last couple of weeks.

Well, with BBC out of the way, I'm now looking forward to the end of year activities at Chets, and my A-levels which are just around the corner(!) I also have a Wigmore Hall recital to look forward to, two years representation by the Young Concert Artists' Trust, a £2000 award which will go towards the purchase of a new Schilke Eb trumpet and a prospective tour of the Middle East in December. Not bad, and I didn't even win!

Well, I will update soon, hopefully I will have some more exciting news in the next few days! In the meantime, if anyone would like to read a review of the BBC competition, you can find one at http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,14936-2191077,00.html

Only a week to go!

2006-05-11T14:56:00.000Z

With only a week to go until the concerto final of BBC Young Musician, it's fair to say that this is one of the busiest and most important times of my life thus far! I recently discovered that the Russian virtuoso Sergei Nakariakov is one the adjudicators, and it has been a rather humbling experience listening to his recording of the Tomasi Concerto aged just 16! I've also been very lucky in performing the Tomasi to a range of musicians, not just trumpeters, including a violinist and flautist, who have brought another dimension to my playing. In addition, lessons with Paul Archibald, Gareth Small and James Watson (tommorow!) have also helped enormously to increase my confidence, and following my play-through with the Chetham's Symphony Orchestra this week, I'm sure I'll be raring to go next Saturday.

Before that, however, I've also got a Big Band concert, and I'm chairing a series of interviews at Chets to help decide who will follow in my footsteps in becoming the next Head Boy. Added to that, I'm preparing some programme notes for my LRSM diploma on 25th May, and trying to get as much practice done as possible around my A-level revision. 24th May also sees two masterclasses with distinguished trumpeters Rex Richardson and Hakan Hardenberger, which I'm looking forward to immensely. Still, no rest for the wicked hey??!

I promise all that I will faithfully update my blog next Sunday morning (not too early though!) to let you know the result of the BBC competition. I realise that I am very lucky to have got this far, and the most important thing from my point of view now is just to relax(!) and enjoy the experience. Wish me luck!.....

NYO Blog

2006-04-19T09:33:00.000Z

Hello Again! Just thought I'd update everybody as I have an elusive 'free day' on the NYO Easter Course. We performed last night in the Barbican under Gianandrea Noseda, in a concert full of energy and passion. Playing Stravinsky's Concerto for Piano and Wind (with the incredible soloist Alexander Korsantya) and Berlioz's ever popular Symphonie Fantastique to a packed audience was a fantastic experience, especially the Stravinsky which demands a lot of chamber music-like playing in mind-boggling time signatures!! Noseda is undoubtedly an amazing conductor - he really gets the best out of the orchestra, and is a true Italian 'maestro'!

I'm also keeping up practise for the Tomasi Concerto in the BBC Competition, and if anybody would like to watch bits of the competition on T.V., here are the complete listings below

Sat 13th May, 17:20, BBC2 - Nicola Benedetti documentary
Sat 13th May, 19:15, BBC4 - Young Musician Quarter Finals
Mon 15th May, 21:00, BBC4 - Piano and Percussion Semi Finals
Tues 16th May, 21:00, BBC4 - Brass and Woodwind Semi Finals
Wed 17th May, 21:00, BBC4 - String Semi Finals plus 5 minutes on each finalist
Thurs 18th May, 21:00, BBC4 - The Finalists - 90 min programme showing full semi final performances of all five finalists
Sat 20th May, 17:00, BBC2 - 170 mins of finals - "live" transmission
Sun 21st May, 21:00 - Eurovision Young Musician 2006

In preparation for this, I'm having a lesson on Friday with Andrew Everton, my previous teacher at home who is co-principal in the BBC NOW. Having not played to Andy for 4 years, it will be a great experience to once again benefit from his excellent input.

Well, best go, as I have a mountain of French and English prep to complete before the end of the Easter break! If anyone has any questions, comments or queries, feel free to post them on the message board on the site, and I'll try and get back to you asap.

Update from Manchester!

2006-03-25T14:38:00.000Z

After a couple of weeks I thought it time to post another update about my activities...I'm also thrilled that another blogger (Les Neish) has joined brass-forum (so you won't be bored to death with only my escapades from now on!) Although I don't know Les personally, I do remember being amazed at his playing on TV in the BBC Young Musician competition some years ago. Judging by his diary and competition succeses he must be one of the busiest tuba players around!

I recently recevied my modified Yamaha Xeno C back from brass-forum contributor Will Spencer, who added the new leadpipe and tuning slide which I had been previously testing. What a difference! I can't speak too highly of Will for his knowledge, expertise and efficiency - a really top notch job!

Future engagements include several 'lunchtime concerts' at Chets, concerts in Symphony Hall and the Barbican with the NYO and Gianandrea Noseda, and a quartet gig in Oxford. I'm also applying to take the LRSM in May, playing a programme of Haydn Concerto, Martinu Sonatine, Takemtisu Paths and Arban Variations on Norma.

Regarding preparations for BBC, at the moment I'm trying to get lessons from as many different teachers as possible, in order to gain an insight into various styles and interpretations. If I'm lucky I might also get a lesson with Hakan Hardenberger before the final in May!

Well, best go, I've got a BBC recorded concert tomorrow with chamber orchestra in the Bridgewater Hall so I need to practice!

The Trials of Organising a Programme!

2006-03-12T12:09:00.000Z

Now the dust has finally settled after my BBC success, I've been getting down to the hard graft of not only preparing the Tomasi Concerto for the final in May, but also organising a suitable programme for my Wigmore Hall debut this autumn. Having to fill a 1 hour programme with a mixture of original compositions, transcriptions, arrangements, music from different periods etc. has been far harder than I originally thought, although after much discussion with my two teachers at Chets I feel I am finally approaching a suitable conclusion! It will come as no surprise that my main difficulty has been the question of stamina vs challenging pieces, and the usage of different instruments (starting on piccolo, then C trumpet, then Bb). For the opening piece, I have decided to make my own arrangement of Debussy's 'Girl with the Flaxen Hair' for the piccolo, having heard Jens Lindemann perform his own version at the 2005 ITG Conference in Thailand. I will also premiere a work for trumpet and piano written by a friend from Chethams, Luke Burke, who recently won the BBC PROMS Young Composer award.

Having got to the BBC final, I've also been taking some time thinking about what the future holds in store, and in particular the great question of whether to attempt the solo trumpeter or orchestral trumpeter route. In an ideal world, I would certainly like to do both, although increasingly I feel that neither really complements the other - certain basic attributes don't fit both styles of playing. It is something I will probably be considering for the next five years...in the meantime I am trying to strike a balance between both solo and ensemble gigs, and giving myself plently of time to refresh and refine my playing inbetween. If any brass-forum users have any suggestions or ideas, your views would be much appreciated!

Finally, as a first study pianist as well at Chethams, I am currently preparing a programme of British music for concerts in late March/April. I'm also bracing myself for a day of BBC filming at Chets, which should be fun...lets just hope they don't follow me to the pub!!